The Daily Delegate

Currently, in California, the average wage for prisoners is less than one dollar per hour. Our bill aims to ensure that labor in prison is not forced and is paid on fair terms. Today, many prisoners are required to work, but their wages are extremely low , which raises serious questions about social justice and respect for basic labor rights. The proposed bill provides for an increase in prisoners’ wages to $2 per hour and establishes the principle of voluntary participation in labor activities. The implementation of this initiative will promote respect for human dignity, reduce the risks of exploitation, and create a more equitable system of punishment. The program is proposed to be financed by a 0.2% tax increase for citizens with an annual income of over $200,000. According to these estimates, this measure will fully cover the additional costs associated with increasing prisoners’ wages without placing a significant burden on the state budget.